About Geometrids
Many Geometrids have slender abdomens and broad wings which are usually held flat with the hindwings visible. As such they appear rather butterfly-like but in most respects they are typical moths. The majority fly at night, they possess a frenulum to link the wings and the antennae of the males are often feathered. They tend to blend in to the background, often with intricate, wavy patterns on their wings. The name Geometer meaning earth-measurer refers to the means of locomotion of the larvae or caterpillars, which lack most of the prolegs of other Lepidopteran caterpillars. Equipped with appendages at both ends of the body, a caterpillar will clasp with its front legs and draw up the hind end, then clasp with the hind end (prolegs) and reach out for a new front attachment. This gives the impression it is measuring its journey.
Agathia prasinaspis
Agathia prasinaspis is a rainforest moth species found from Atherton tableland to Northern NSW. The adult moths of this species are green with a grey-brown stripe along the margin of each wing. The females also have a stripe across the middle of each forewing. The hindwings each have a short angular extension at the tornus. The wingspan is about 30 mm.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Cleora illustraria
The adult Cleora illustraria moth is brownish-grey with wavy lines, and had a wingspan of about 40 mm.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Comostola laesaria
Comostola laesaria is a green moth with reddish brown spots on each wing which have a yellowish margin. The caterpillar is a pale green or brown looper. Wingspan 20 nm. Feeds on flowers of plants from many genera and families including Chirauli Nut, Mangoes, Paperbarks Melaleuca and Longans. The caterpillar pupates in a cocoon made of silk and bits of leaf. Found in Asia as well as Australia.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Eumelea rosalia
Eumelea rosalia is a yellow or orange moth with darker speckles. There are two darker bands across each wing. Wingspan 40 mm. The caterpillars feed on Mallotus plants. Found in the oriental tropics, including Borneo, Malaysia, New Guinea and Queensland, Australia.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Bizarre Looper
Bizarre Looper Anisozyga pieroides moths have a wingspan of about 30 mm. The hind wings have scalloped edges. They are found in the northern half of Australia. The male is green with a white pattern. The female is green with brown borders. The mature caterpillars are brown, and resemble the ragged edge of a partially eaten leaf. The young caterpillars have no flanges, but attach frass and other debris to their backs symmetrically, like the flanges they are going to develop. They eat leaves from a wide variety of plant families, including Combretaceae, Lauraceae, Mimosaceae, Myrtaceae, Rosaceae and Proteaceae. The adult moths exhibit sexual dimorphism meaning the males and females look different from each other.
Photo: Robert Whyte
